ALBERT

Description: (1). During 1997 an estimated total of 4095 tonnes of fish was landed on Mahe, Praslin and La Digue by 348 fishing boats. 83.5% of the total catch was landed on Mahe alone. The catch volume has decreased by 415 tonnes compared to the 1996 catch and the number of boats operating has increased by 21 over the same period. (2). The most important species groups landed (greater than 5% of the total catch) were carangues (38.1%), job (11.3%), maquereau doux (7.3%) and capitaine (5.4%). (3). Peak landings occurred in April (701.8 MT) and the lowest catch was recorded in June (150 MT). The average catch per month was 341.2 tonnes. (4). A marked seasonal variation in catches of demersal species was observed, with low catches being recorded during the period of southeast trade winds (June - September). Peak catches of carangues occurred during April. The catch of pelagic species exhibited the same seasonal variation as observed with the demersal species. Catches of cordonnier dropped in June and July. The catch of other trap fish, however, dropped slightly from March to June. These observations of seasonal variability are believed to relate more to climatic conditions than to the catchability of the fish themselves. 1997 also saw the start of a strong El Nino weather phenomenon that may have contributed to the decline in catch. (5). In total the small boat fishery accounted for 38% of fish landings during 1997. The percentage catch by boat type for the small boat fishery is as follows; fishermen on foot -1.5%; pirogues - 6.1 %; outboards — 89.9% and whalers with fixed traps ¬2.5%. Fishermen on foot landed mostly octopus (65.7%): pirogues landed mainly maqueraux (61%) and trap fish (26%): outboards landed predominantly carangues (36.9%), maqueraux (17.7%) and cordonnier (9%), whalers with traps landed mainly cordonnier (42%) and capitaine (31.7%). Landings by the small boat fleet were made up mostly of pelagic species (69.1%). (6). The whaler handline fishery accounted for 53% of total landings. An average of 91 whalers operated each month during 1997 including those using traps indicating no change when compared to 1996. Carangues made up just under half of the catch (45.9%). Other important species in the catch were; job gris (15%), Bourgeois (8.3%) and becune (6.8%). (7). An average of 11 schooners operated each month during 1997 and accounted for 7.2% of total landings. Bourgeois was the most important species caught (20%) followed by job gris (17.4%), vara vara (6.5%) and Carangues (6.4%). The spanner crab Ranina ranina accounted for 7.1% of schooner landings. (8). Fish purchases from the artisanal fishery by the Oceana Fisheries Co. Ltd. were equivalent to 12.2 % of total landings (503.4 MT). 99% was purchased in Victoria and the remaining 4.7 MT on Praslin. Major species purchased were: job (25%), bourgeois (19%), groupers (13.4%) and capitaine (10.6%). (9). Oceana Fisheries also purchased 165.8 MT of frozen fish (gutted and ungutted) from foreign longline vessels during 1997. Species purchased were all pelagic of which bonite was the most common (65%) followed by dorade (13.9%), swordfish (7%) and yellowfin (3.6%) (10). Fish product exports during 1997 generated revenue of 230.2 million Seychelles Rupees in foreign exchange earnings. Fish exports by the Oceana Fisheries amounted to 250.3MT. 71% being fresh and 29% frozen valued at SR 6.5 million (CIF). Major destinations for the fish were; Reunion (52%), Mauritius (23%) and England (21%). Job (35.6%), pelagic fish (23%) and bourgeois (17.7%) formed the most important fish exports. (11). A comparison of data collected between 1985 and 1997 follows. The proportion of catch by boat type and number of boats operating shown in the following table do not include the research vessels of the Seychelles Fishing Authority which landed 24.5 tonnes in 1997 contributing to 0.6 % of the total catch.

Description: Published

Description: Seychelles is composed of over 100 islands with a land area of approximately 455 km², centred close to 4°30'S and 55°30'E. The combined coastline is approximately 600 km long, the oceanic shelf totals about 50 000 km² and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is over 1 370 000 km². The total population (1994 census) stands at just under 74 000. in 1994, the population registered a growth rate of 2.2%. The GDP (1994) was SR 2373.8 million, fisheries representing 4.8% of this sum. Licensing agreements for foreign fishing activities provided a yearly revenue of SR8 million. Port Victoria is seen as a prime centre for tuna fishing operations in the Indian Ocean. In the artisanal fishery just under 900 persons are working. The largest contributor to catch by vessel type are the traditional whaler vessels representing 47.8% of the total catch. Over 66.3% of the catch is by the handline method. Carangidae representing 24% and Lutjanidae 19% of total landings. There are six specific objectives to the fisheries sector policy, which aims as resource development and maximisation of potential benefits. Nearshore fishery resources are considered to be heavily exploited, however opportunities exist around the distant islands and in deeper waters off the Mahe plateau shelf. Aquaculture of molluscs and prawns is being developed and carried out. The main constraints to development are seen as the lack of skilled manpower and foreign exchange.

Description: Published

Description: (1). During 2000 an estimated total of 4764 tonnes of fish was landed on Mahe, Praslin and La Digue by 330 fishing boats. 89.6% of the total catch was landed on Mahe alone. The catch volume has decreased by 78 tonnes compared to the 1999 catch and the number of boats operating has increased by 15 over the same period. (2). The most important species groups landed (greater than 5% of the total catch) were carangues (37.0%), job (11.6%), capitaine (8.9%) and maquereau doux (6.2%). (3). Peak landings occurred in September (750.0 MT) and the lowest catch was recorded in June (236.3 MT). The average catch per month was 397 tonnes. (4). A marked seasonal variation in catches of demersal species was observed, with low catches being recorded during the period of southeast trade winds (May - July). Peak catches of carangues occurred during September. The catch of pelagic species exhibited the same seasonal variation as observed with the demersal species. Catches of cordonnier dropped in July and August. The catch of other trap fish, however, was low in February, April and December. Seasonal variation in catches can be related to weather conditions inhibiting fishing activities. (5). In total the small boat fishery accounted for 34.3% of fish landings during 2000. The percentage catch by boat type for the small boat fishery is as follows; fishermen on foot — 0.9%; pirogues — 1.7 %; outboards — 32.3% and whalers with traps — 0.3%. Fishermen on foot landed mostly octopus (54.5%): pirogues landed mainly maqueraux (66.7%) and trap fish (19.8%): outboards landed predominantly carangues (25.1%), maqueraux (26.9%) and trap fish (22.8%), whalers with traps landed mainly capitaine (44.5%) and cordonnier (25.8%). Landings by the small boat fleet were made up mostly of pelagic species (53.1%). (6). The whaler handline fishery accounted for 60.3% of total landings. An average of 89 whalers operated each month during 2000 including those using traps indicating an increase of 4 vessels operating when compared to 2000. Carangues made up just under half of the catch (46.5%). Other important species in the catch were; job gris (16.1%), becune (5.9%), capitaines (10%) and vara vara (4.4%). Catches of Bourgeois declined from 7.6% in 1999 to 4.3% of the total catch for whalers in 2000. (7). An average of 10 schooners operated each month during 2000 and accounted for 4.0% of total landings. Bourgeois was the most important species caught (21.8%) followed by job gris (7.0%), and Carangues (4.5%). The spanner crab Ranina ranina accounted for 3.3% of schooner landings. (8). Fish purchases from the artisanal fishery by the Oceana Fisheries Co. Ltd. were equivalent to 9.2 % of total landings (438.5 MT). 100% was purchased in Victoria. Major species purchased were: bourgeois (29%), job (15.7%), maqueraux (15.8%) and groupers (13.4%). (9). Oceana Fisheries also purchased 160.6 MT of frozen fish (gutted and ungutted) from foreign longline vessels during 2000. Species purchased were all pelagic of which bonito was the most common (61.1%) followed by sailfish (7.7%), dorade (7.3%), marlin (6%) and skipjack tuna (4.9%). (10). Fish product exports during 2000 generated revenue of 6.7 million Seychelles Rupees in foreign exchange earnings. Fish exports by the Oceana Fisheries amounted to 255.8 MT. 69% being fresh and 31% frozen valued at SR 6.3 million (CIF). Major destinations for the fish were; Mauritius (39%), England (36%) and Reunion (22%). Pelagic fish (36%), Job (19.5%), and bourgeois (19%) formed the most important fish exports. (11). A comparison of data collected between 1988 and 1999 follows. The proportion of catch by boat type and number of boats operating shown in the following table do not include the research vessels of the Seychelles Fishing Authority which landed 13.15 tonnes of fish, 102 spiny lobster and 4000+ scallops in 2000 contributing to 0.3 % of the total catch.

Description: Published

Description: The local commonly used kreol name for Ranina ranina is krab ziraf. The krab ziraf fishery in Seychelles started functioning as a commercial fishery in 1986 when the resource was identified as potentially viable. Prior to this time these crab stocks were unexploited. In keeping with the Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA) policy of monitoring catch and effort in new fisheries a research programme was implemented to assess the state of the Seychelles stock and determine the viability of the fishery as a whole. The objective of this report is to provide an indication of the state of the crab stock at the present fishing levels and give estimates of the standing stock biomass and the potential yield of the fishery. The biomass estimates give a range of between 2460 tonnes and 4486 tonnes for the Mahe plateau. For the calculations of the potential yield these figures were used to derive MSY estimates. The MSY estimates range between 381.36 tonnes and 695.44 tonnes taken as the most conservatively calculated estimates. Given that only an approximate 30 tonnes of krab ziraf are caught per annum the MSY estimates would suggest that the stocks has the potential to be more intensively exploited.

Description: Published

Description: (1). During 1999 an estimated total of 4842 Metric Tonnes (MT) of fish was landed on Mahe, Praslin and La Digue by 345 fishing boats. 88.9% of the total catch was landed on Mahe alone. The catch volume has increased by 1508 MT compared to the 1998 catch and the number of boats operating decreased by 10 vessels over the same period. (2). The most important species groups landed (greater than 5% of the total catch) were carangues (30.4%), job (17%), red snapper (10%), cordonnier (5,1%) and capitaine (5.9%). (3). Peak landings occurred in April (560.1 MT) and October (565.4 MT) and the lowest catch was recorded in August (254 MT). The average catch per month was 403.5 tonnes. (4). Seasonal variation in catches of demersal species was observed, however this variation was not as marked as noted in previous years. Peak catches of carangues occurred during May. The catch of pelagic species exhibited the same seasonal variation as observed with the demersal species. Catches of cordonnier dropped in June, July and August. The catch of other trap fish, however, was relatively constant throughout the year with a peak noted in March. (5). In total the small boat fishery accounted for 35.6% of fish landings during 1999, The percentage catch by boat type for the small boat fishery is as follows., fishermen on foot — 0.5%; pirogues — 2.6 %; outboards — 28.5% and whalers — 48.9%. Fishermen on foot landed mostly octopus (83.5%): pirogues landed trap fish (57.7%): outboards landed predominantly carangues (20.9%), maqueraux (19.6%) and cordonnier (14.3%), whalers with traps landed mainly cordonnier (53.6%) and maconde (23.2%). Landings by the small boat fleet were made up mostly of pelagic species (47.8%). (6). The whaler handline fishery accounted for 49% of total landings. An average of 85 whalers operated each month during 1999 including those using traps. Carangues made up just under half of the catch (38.6%). Other important species in the catch were; job gris (25.6%), Bourgeois (7.6%) and becune (8%). (7). An average of 11 schooners operated each month during 1999 and accounted for 5.1% of total landings. Bourgeois was the most important species caught (16%) followed by job gris (9.2%), vara vara (6%) and Capitaine rouge (6%). The spanner crab Ranina ranina accounted for 3.8% of schooner landings. (8). Fish purchases from the artisanal fishery by the Oceana Fisheries Co. Ltd, were equivalent to 7.5 % of total landings (363.4 MT). 100% was purchased in Victoria. Major species purchased were: bourgeois (22.9%), job (21.5%), groupers (14.3%), and capitaine (14%). (9). Oceana Fisheries also purchased 193.5 MT of frozen fish (gutted and ungutted) from foreign longline vessels during 1997. Species purchased were all pelagic of which bonite was the most common (52.6%) followed by yellowfin (11.4%), dorade (9.8%) and marlin (8.4%). (10). Fish product exports from Oceana Fisheries during 1999 generated revenue of 53.7 million (CIF) Seychelles Rupees in foreign exchange earnings. Fish exports by the Oceana Fisheries amounted to 220 MT, 80.5% being fresh and 19.5% frozen. Major destinations for the fish were; Reunion (33.6%), England (31%) and Mauritius (29.7%). Pelagic fishes (30%), Job (19.1%), and bourgeois (19%) formed the most important fish exports. (11). A comparison of data collected between 1987 and 1998 follows. The proportion of catch by boat type and number of boats operating shown in the following table do not include the research vessels of the Seychelles Fishing Authority which landed 6.7 tonnes in 1999 contributing to 0.1 % of the total catch. (12). Note: A ban on set gill nets in the artisanal fishery was imposed in August 1998. The ban allowed for a six-month grace period to enable fishermen to change from gillnets to longlines.

Description: Published

Description: This report reviews the spiny lobster fishery on the Mahe Plateau during the 1994 - 1995 fishing season. Following the recommendations made after the 1992 fishing season, the fishery was reopened in 1993 for two months, November and December. The monitoring programme set up in 1992 was continued to gather more information on the spiny lobster stocks so as to improve the management of this resource around the Mahe Plateau. A total of 33 licenses were issued (compared to 28 in 1993); 25 on Mahe, 2 on Praslin and 6 on La Digue. A licensed fishing unit comprised, on average, of three men. Snorkelling was used by 27 fishing units as the only catching method, 3 fishing units used traps only whilst 3 fishing units combined snorkelling with the use of traps. Over the three month open season a total of 4.1 tonnes of spiny lobsters were estimated to have been landed compared to 4.2 tonnes in 1993, most landings were on Mahe (3.03 tonnes) A catch of 0.9 tonnes was landed in November, 1.2 tonnes landed in December and 2.0 tonnes landed in January. Altogether 159 trips were undertaken equivalent to 477 man-trips for the season with 28 trips in November, 63 trips in December and 68 trips in January. The snorkelling and trap capture methods represented 70.2% and 29.8% of the catch respectively. The catch per unit of effort (CPUE) for November through January was: -36 kg/trip (November), -39 kg/trip (December), -28.5 kg/trip (January). Three main species were targeted: Panulirus penicillatus (Homard Grosse Tete), Panulirus longipes (Homard Rouge), Panulirus versicolor (Homard Vert). The catch composition by fishing method was: a) Snorkellling: Homard Grosse Tete : 80.4% Homard Rouge : 19.2% Homard Vert : 0.4% b) Trap: Homard Grosse Tete : 100%

Description: Published

Description: Forty oyster spat collector bags were submerged at two different sites near Mahe island fofr a period between 3.2 and 11 months. Strong currents in the south-east monsoon period resulted in a few bags lying in the sand which was detrimental to spat settlement. The mean settlement rate was calculated at 15.6 oysters per bag, however 71_310= of the bags had more than 10 oysters per bag. Considering only those bags, the settlement averaged at 27 oysters per bag. The sizes of oysters in collector bags after different soaking times, indicate that growth rate in the first few months is higher than on French Polynesia. Growth rates of oysters maintained in a cage indicated an average increase of 21.7 mm in five months, between the size of 25.9 mm and 47.76 mm. The observed mortality over the same period was 29.2_310=. Oyster spat settlement did occur all year around, indicating that spawning also occurs all through the year. Pearlculture in Seychelles is technically feasible and pearl farms will depend,for their regular supply of oysters, on collecting methods of oyster spat produced by natural stocks. Natural oyster beds are reported to be limited in Seychelles and these beds are presently exploited for the supply of the artisanal craft industry and the jewellery industry. Suitable sites for farming operations, on the granitic and on the outer coraline islands, are limited. In view of these limitations, priority has to be given to the assessment of the actual status of oyster beds and then implement neccessary of the actual measures where needed. The continuation of the Sfa training and research program regarding optimum sites, settlement rates, growth rates and other biological information will be crucial for the future development of the industry.The successful development of the pearl oyster industry in Seychelles, will largely depend on the choice of adequate management options, concerning the resource as well as the potential commercial ventures. A guideline on pearlculture development has been produced to support future initiative in this field.

Description: Published

Description: (1). During 2001 an estimated total of 4290 tonnes of fish was landed on Mahe, Praslin and La Digue by 377 fishing boats. 84.3% of the total catch was landed on Mahe alone. The catch volume has decreased by 474 tonnes compared to the 2000 catch and the number of boats operating has dereased by 30 over the same period. (2). The most important species groups landed (greater than 5% of the total catch) were carangues (30.0%), job (16.4%). capitaine (11.3%) and bourgeois (8.0%). (3). Peak landings occurred in June (478.0 MT) and the lowest catch was recorded in September (161.7 MT). The average catch per month was 357 tonnes. (4). A seasonal variation in catches of demersal species was observed, however this was less marked when compared to previous years. Low catches being recorded during the period of southeast trade winds (July - September). Peak catches of carangues occurred during April. The catch of pelagic species exhibited a similar seasonal variation as observed with the demersal species. Catches of cordonnier were lowest during the latter part of the SE Monsoon period. The catch of other trap fish, however, was low in May and June. Seasonal variation in catches can be related to weather conditions inhibiting fishing activities. (5). In total the small boat fishery accounted for 27.2% of fish landings during 2001. The percentage catch by boat type for the small boat fishery is as follows; fishermen on foot — 1.1%; pirogues — 1.2 %; outboards — 24.9% and whalers with traps — 1.3%. Fishermen on foot landed mostly octopus (95.3%): pirogues landed mainly maqueraux (50.0%) and trap fish (27.3%): outboards landed predominantly carangues (27.5%), maqueraux (22.3%) and trap fish (20.6%), whalers with traps landed mainly capitaine (61.3%) and cordonnier (12.3%). Landings by the small boat fleet were made up mostly of pelagic species (52.2%). (6). The whaler handline fishery accounted for 66.2% of total landings. An average of 90 whalers operated each month during 2001 including those using traps indicating an increase of 1 vessel operating when compared to 2000. Carangues made up 34.4% of the total whaler handline catch. Other important species in the catch were; job gris (20.0%), bourgeois (8.2%), hecune (8.0%) and vara vara (3.6%). Catches of Bourgeois increased by 3.9% in 2001 compared to the catch of 2000. (7). An average of 11 schooners operated each month during 2001 and accounted for 6.0% of total landings. Bourgeois was the most important species caught (23.8%) followed by job gris (9.8%), and job jaune (7.2%). The spanner crab Ranina ranina accounted for 8.7% of schooner landings. (8). Fish purchases from the artisanal fishery were equivalent to 11.5 % of total landings (497.2 MT). 100% was purchased in Victoria. Major species purchased were: red snappers and bourgeois (47.5%), groupers (15.7%) and capitaine (7.9%). (9). Fish purchases from foreign longline vessels were in the order of 209.4 MT of frozen fish (gutted and ungutted) during 2001. Species purchased were all pelagic of which bonito bait was the most common (121.7 MT) followed by yellowfin (25.1 MT), skipjack (16.2 MT) and dorade (14.9 MT). (10). Fish exports to 296.8 MT. 83.6% being fresh and 16.4% frozen valued at SR 8.5 million (CIF). Major destinations for the fish were; England (44.4%), Reunion (24.4%) and France (15%),. Pelagic fish (50.6%), bourgeois (17.4%), and Job (13.6%) formed the most important fish exports. (11). A comparison of data collected between 1989 and 2000 follows. The proportion of catch by boat type and number of boats operating shown in the following table do not include the research vessels of the Seychelles Fishing Authority which landed 1.7 tonnes of fish in 2001 contributing to 0.03 % of the total catch.

Description: Published

Description: (1). During 1998 an estimated total of 3334.3 tonnes of fish was landed on Mahe, Praslin and La Digue by 355 fishing boats. 86% of the total catch was landed on Mahe alone. The catch volume has decreased by 716 tonnes compared to the 1997 catch and the number of boats operating has increased by 7 vessels over the same period. (2). The most important species groups landed (greater than 5% of the total catch) were carangues (30.2%), job (18.1%), capitaine (8.4%), red snappers (including bourgeois) 12.7% and barracuda (4.5%). (3). Peak landings occurred in November (507.1 MT) and the lowest catch was recorded in March (172.2 MT). The average catch per month was 277.8 tonnes this is 63.4 tonnes less on average per month than for 1997. (4). A marked seasonal variation in catches of dernersal species was observed, however the trend of low catches being recorded during the period of southeast trade winds (June - September) shifted to between March and July. Peak catches of carangues have normally occurred during the months of March to May, however this period during 1998 showed the lowest catches of this group. The catch of pelagic species in 1998 tended to be greatest during November and December. As regards the demersal species the seasonal variation tended to shift from peaks recorded during the second quarter in past seasons, to mostly forth quarter peaks during the 1998 fishing period. Catches of cordonnier dropped in April and May. The catch of other trap fish, however, dropped slightly from May to July. (5). In total the small boat fishery accounted for 29.7% of fish landings during 1998. The percentage catch by boat type for the small boat fishery is as follows; fishermen on foot - 1.2% pirogues — 3.7 %; outboards — 24.7% and whalers with Fixed traps 0.1%. Fishermen on foot landed mostly octopus (81.4%): pirogues landed mainly maqueraux.(60.2% and trap fish (16.3%): outboards landed predominantly carangues (28.7%), cordonnier (15.5%), and other trap fish (13.8%), whalers with traps landed mainly cordonnier (46.7%) and red snappers (26.7%). Landings by the small boat fleet were made up mostly of pelagic species (47.8%). (6). The whaler handline fishery accounted for 61.5% of total landings. An average of 89 whalers operated each month during 1997 including those using traps indicating a decrease of 2 vessels overall when compared to 1997. Carangues made up just over a third of the catch (35.7%). Other important species in the catch were; job gris (25%), Bourgeois (6.8%) and vara vara (5.9%). (7). An average of 10.6 schooners operated each month during 1998 and accounted for 7.2% of total landings. Bourgeois was the most important species caught (14.4%) followed by .job gris (12%), vara vara (5.2%) and carangues (5%). The spanner crab Ranina ranina accounted for 5% of schooner landings. (8). Fish purchases from the artisanal fishery by the Oceana Fisheries Co. Ltd. were equivalent to 17.5% of total landings (585.2 MT). 100% was purchased in Victoria, Mahe. Major species purchased were: bourgeois (27.2%), job (15.5%), carangues (9.7%) and groupers (8.7%). (9). Oceana Fisheries also purchased 258.1 MT of frozen fish (gutted and ungutted) from foreign longline vessels during 1998. Species purchased were all pelagic of which bonite was the most common (45.4%) followed by swordfish (19%) and yellowlin (13.8%), (10). Fish product exports during 1998 generated revenue of 426.3 million Seychelles Rupees in foreign exchange earnings. (11). A comparison of data collected between 1986 and 1998 follows. The proportion of catch by boat type and number of boats operating shown in the following table do not include the research vessels of the Seychelles Fishing Authority which landed 29.5 tonnes in 1998 contributing to 0.9% of the total catch.

Description: Published